"Whew…"
At the very front of the deck, Ace spread his arms wide, letting his body soak in the awe-inspiring craftsmanship of nature itself.
In this moment—this feeling—he sensed his spirit, his very willpower, slowly rising.
And alongside that growth in spirit… came a surge in Conqueror's Haki.
Back in Loguetown, when he stood before the execution platform where the Pirate King met his end, Ace had fully visualized the dawning of the Great Pirate Era. He had faced his own heart and made his decision—to begin his era. From that moment, his spirit had grown tremendously.
As a result, his Conqueror's Haki had nearly doubled in strength compared to before.
That leap alone had brought a tremendous boost to Ace's power.
Now, even when facing an Admiral-level opponent, he wouldn't need to rely solely on god-tier techniques like Ittō Kasō just to hold his ground.
Thanks to his unparalleled comprehension, Ace had reached a level far beyond even the strongest Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters. He now stood firmly in the realm of Admiral candidates.
Of course, real battles aren't just about raw strength—experience and split-second judgment matter, too. Still, in the first half of the Grand Line, Ace's current strength was more than enough.
And now, in front of this breathtaking natural marvel, his spirit was quietly rising once more.
It seemed… overcoming powerful enemies wasn't the only way to grow one's will. Conquering nature—truly dominating it—could elevate the spirit as well.
No wonder those who conquer the Grand Line are called Pirate Kings.
To completely master this sea… meant your will would reach terrifying heights. Your Conqueror's Haki would naturally grow to match.
A spark of understanding flashed through Ace's eyes.
"Amazing! The sea's really flowing upward!"
Kaya stared at Reverse Mountain, her wide, shining eyes full of wonder.
Even books couldn't capture something this incredible.
"How is it, Kaya? Isn't the ocean just marvelous?"
Ace laughed heartily as he turned to her.
"Mmhmm!"
Kaya nodded, her eyes crinkling in a joyful smile.
"Alright then—let's ride this current to the top! The helm's in your hands, Nojiko!"
Nami pointed toward the skyward path and shouted with bold excitement.
"Got it,"
Nojiko replied nervously, her hands gripping the helm tightly as she stared at the natural wonder ahead.
"Let's go, Nojiko! You're my helmswoman!"
Ace's commanding voice rang out as he pointed straight at the climbing waterway.
"Y-Yeah!"
Startled at first, Nojiko's anxious expression gave way to firm resolve.
Boom!
Under Nojiko's precise steering, the Going Merry shot into the upward current, riding the reverse-flowing tide up the towering slope of Reverse Mountain.
"Wahhh!"
Nami, Kaya, and Tashigi all clung to the Merry's railing, their voices full of excitement and terror.
Nojiko's face tightened in concentration as she held the helm steady.
Ace didn't help them—at least, not directly. Instead, he used his Observation Haki to keep a lock on the girls' positions.
This was a moment of conquering nature—they had to experience it themselves.
Ace stood tall at the bow of the ship, laughing wildly as the thrill of overcoming Reverse Mountain surged through his veins.
[Your comprehension is unparalleled. During the conquest of nature, your spirit continues to grow.]
[Conqueror's Haki has strengthened.]
Words of analysis echoed in Ace's mind as he stood, reveling in the triumph.
And finally—under the tense efforts of the girls, under Nojiko's steady hands, and through Ace's roaring laughter—the Going Merry successfully breached the summit of Reverse Mountain and entered the Grand Line.
"Nami, Nojiko… you truly are my navigator and helmswoman!"
Ace beamed as he looked at the two.
Hearing that, both Nami and Nojiko felt something warm and powerful stir inside their hearts.
"Kaya, Tashigi—you two did great as well. We've conquered Reverse Mountain."
Ace turned to them with a proud smile.
"Mmhmm."
This time, Kaya didn't shy away. She nodded seriously, something within her quietly rising.
Tashigi pressed her lips together. She didn't speak—but her eyes said enough.
"Looks like now that we've entered the Grand Line… it's finally time to start teaching them Haki,"
Ace thought as his Observation Haki probed the subtle shifts in their bodies.
When one's willpower grows, it doesn't just affect Conqueror's Haki—it also aids in mastering both Armament and Observation Haki.
That's part of the reason why, in the Four Blues and even in the first half of the Grand Line, Haki users are so rare. But in the second half—the New World—they're everywhere.
Ace had purposely waited until now to teach them Haki.
With the aid of the Domain of Comprehension, and their growing spirit, these girls would surely be able to grasp it.
"Ah—Ace! Look down!"
Suddenly, Nami screamed, pointing below.
"Whoooa…"
The spray from the roaring current was beginning to clear.
And beneath them—blocking the very entrance to the Grand Line—was a whale the size of an island.
If they collided with it, the Going Merry would be obliterated!
"…Laboon?"
Ace looked at the giant whale with calm, steady eyes.
So this was the island whale that had waited decades for Brook to return.
"Nojiko—get ready to maneuver!"
Buzz—!
Ace's eyes narrowed, and a deep, purple-black glow surged from his pupils. It burst forth like a living force, coiling around his right fist.
Swish!
Ace leapt from the deck—so fast he vanished from view—and reappeared in front of Laboon.
His right fist blasted forward, and even from dozens of meters away, the sheer force of his Conqueror's Haki—now interwoven and solid—erupted like a thunderclap.
BOOM!
"MOOOOOO!"
Laboon let out a pained cry as his massive body reeled backward, crashing into the water behind.
"!!!"
Nami, Kaya, Nojiko, and Tashigi all stared in stunned silence.
That was Ace's true strength?!
And that punch—it didn't even touch the whale!!
They were floored.
The Merry, caught in the force of the blow, was pushed back—but under Nojiko's control, it eventually stabilized.
Just like that…
The Flame Emperor Pirates had entered the Grand Line.
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TL/N:
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